CVE-2004-0015 in vbox3
Summary
by MITRE
vbox3 0.1.8 and earlier does not properly drop privileges before executing a user-provided TCL script, which allows local users to gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0015 affects vbox3 versions 0.1.8 and earlier, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk within the software's execution model. This flaw resides in the application's privilege management mechanism, specifically within how it handles user-provided TCL scripts during execution. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly drop elevated privileges before processing user input, creating a pathway for local attackers to execute malicious code with higher privileges than intended. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper privilege handling, which is commonly classified as CWE-276, indicating inadequate privilege management in software applications. The issue represents a fundamental flaw in the principle of least privilege, where the system should operate with the minimum necessary permissions to perform its functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local user can manipulate the TCL script execution environment to gain elevated privileges. Typically, when vbox3 executes user-provided scripts, it maintains its elevated privileges throughout the execution process, allowing the script to potentially invoke system-level operations that should be restricted. This misconfiguration enables attackers to craft malicious TCL scripts that can leverage the elevated execution context to perform actions such as modifying system files, creating new user accounts, or accessing restricted resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no network access or external exploitation vectors, making it a local privilege escalation issue that can be exploited by any user with access to the system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0015 extends beyond immediate privilege escalation, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems. Once elevated privileges are obtained, attackers can modify system configurations, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects systems where vbox3 is installed and actively used, particularly in environments where users might have varying levels of system access but should not be able to escalate their privileges through script execution. This issue is especially concerning in multi-user environments or systems where the application runs with elevated privileges by default. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its stealth nature, as the privilege escalation occurs without obvious system warnings or logging that would alert administrators to the compromise. Organizations implementing security controls should consider this vulnerability as part of their baseline security assessments, particularly in legacy systems where upgrading to patched versions might not be immediately feasible. The flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege separation and input validation in security-sensitive applications, reinforcing the need for robust security design principles and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in software systems.